Chagas Disease in Oklahoma?

Friday, August 24, 2018

Kelly Allen, MS, PhD, a parasitologist and researcher at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, is working to learn more about Chagas disease right here in Oklahoma. An insect commonly called a kissing bug transmits the parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans and dogs.

“Kissing bugs are blood suckers and are known to transmit the deadly parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease in people and dogs,” explained Allen. “While the disease may remain inapparent for years, eventual cardiac and gastrointestinal tissue damage in chronic infections can be fatal in some patients.”

Allen wants to learn more about Chagas disease in Oklahoma. She encourages anyone who finds a kissing bug to have it tested for Chagas parasite DNA. A suspected kissing bug can be mailed to Allen for testing. Upon request, PCR is available to evaluate the animal species of the bug’s recent blood meal.   

“Place the bug inside a small plastic container such as a pill bottle, Tupperware container or small empty bottle,” said Allen. “Then place that container in an envelope or box to protect the bug during shipping. We will also need a Kissing Bug Submission Form completed and included with the package. There is no charge to have the bug tested or to run PCR on the bug.”

To submit a kissing bug for testing, mail the suspected kissing bug and the completed submission form to: Attn: Dr. Kelly Allen, Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, 225 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078.

If you would like to learn more about kissing bug testing for the potentially deadly Chagas parasite, please email Dr. Kelly Allen at kissingbugandtell@gmail.com.